"'Your behaviour strikes me as very equivocal,' I protested.
"But he reasoned with me gently.
"'What!' he said. 'You would know all—before you have proved yourself, before you have given guarantees? You will not trust the Camorra even when the Camorra shows that it has trust in you? Consider, now. Does not our confidence merit yours?'
"'But I have a curiosity to know.'
"'Naturally—most naturally. And it will not be very long before your curiosity is gratified.'
"'How long, then?'
"'A week, perhaps.'
"'You mean that?'
"'Most assuredly. There are men who have worked years to conquer the privilege which you have won by a single act of courage.'
"'In a week, then——'